Modular display rack

ABSTRACT

An improved modular display rack or stand constructed of wire rod and including a plurality of disconnectable rack sections for permitting the size and capacity of the rack assembly to be selectively varied. The rack sections include a pair of side frames which support a plurality of removable shelves. Each shelf includes downwardly extending legs positioned between a pair of vertically and laterally spaced rods provided on the side frames, which legs have bent portions which resiliently snap under the lowermost rod for releasably but securely positioning the shelf on the side frames. Suitable removable cross-braces extend diagonally between and interconnect the pair of side frames adjacent the rear of each rack section. The shelves, the side frames and the cross-braces of each rack section are all interconnected solely by means of resilient snap-like connections. The side frames have a pair of adjacent downwardly extending loops on the lower corners thereof, and the upper corners of the side frames have an extending ear or projection, whereby a plurality of rack sections can be selectively stacked one upon another by positioning the extending projections of a lower rack section into the recesses defined by the downwardly extending loops on the adjacent upper rack section.

United States Patent Jurasek [4 1 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] MODULAR DISPLAY RACK [57] ABSTRACT [72] Inventor: Stanley J- Jllrfl k, 01 An improved modular display rack or stand con- Township, Jackson n y. M structed of wire rod and including a plurality of [73] Assignee: Eagle Picher Industries, Inc., disconnectable rack sections for permitting the size cinnati, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 74,025

[52] US. Cl. ..2ll/l81 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 5/14 [58] Field of Search ..2ll/l81,133,l77, 126,128

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,600,191 6/1952 Beach ..2l l/l81 X 3,160,438 12/1964 Davis ..21l/l8l X 2,680,522 6/1954 Temple ..2l l/85 3,387,855 6/1968 Oliver ..21l/181 X 2,994,463 8/1961 Drader ..2l l/l26 X 1,386,878 8/1921 Lamp ..21l/l26 3,316,864 5/1967 Maslow ..21 1/181 X 3,486,633 12/1969 Wilson ..2l l/l8l X 2,850,172 9/1958 Beckner ..21 1/181 X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, .lr. Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard ad Flynn and capacity of the rack assembly to be selectively varied. The rack sections include a pair of side frames which support a plurality of removable shelves. Each shelf includes downwardly extending legs positioned between a pair of vertically and laterally spaced rods provided on the side frames, which legs have bent portions which resiliently snap under the lowermost rod for releasably but securely positioning the shelf on the side frames. Suitable removable cross-braces extend diagonally between and interconnect the pair of side frames adjacent the rear of each rack section. The shelves, the side frames and the cross-braces of each rack section are all interconnected solely by means of resilient snap-like connections. The side frames have a pair of adjacent downwardly extending loops on the lower comers thereof, and the upper corners of the I side frames have an extending ear or projection, whereby a plurality of rack sections can be selectively stacked one upon another by positioning the extending' projections of a lower rack section into the recesses defined by the downwardly extending loops on the adjacent upper rack section.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUI; H972 4 3680.712

sum 3 or 3 5777/1 15) J. d/PASf/f INVENTOR MODULAR DISPLAY RACK FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved modular display rack and, in particular, relates to an improved display rack constructed of wire rod and having an improved corner connection structure for enabling a'plurality of rack sections to be easily and selectively stacked one upon another. The display rack additionally has improved mounting structure between the side frames and the. rack shelves for enabling the individual rack sections to be easily disconnected to facilitate the assembly, the disassembly, the handling and transporting thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There has long existed a need for a truly portable display rack or stand capable of being easily assembled or disassembled, and additionally capable of being easily handled and transported in a knocked-down condition for permitting use thereof at different locations. While there are known numerous portable display racks, all of these known display racks possess one or more disadvantages which make their use less than completely satisfactory.

One primary disadvantage of the known portable display racks has been the relatively complex assembly and disassembly procedures involved in putting together or taking apart the display rack. Particularly,.

many of the prior known display racks have been rather difficult to assemble and disassemble, particularly by unskilled persons, and additionally have required the use of special tools to enable the assembly or disassembly procedures to be carried out. These special tools are often not available at the different locations wherein it is desired to utilize portable display racks.

Many of the known portable display racks have also not been commercially acceptable due to the wobbliness of the rack when in the assembled condition, thereby making use of the rack inconvenient and possibly hazardous.

A further disadvantage of the known portable display racks has been the inability to selectively vary the size thereof in an easy and simple manner so as to meet the needs of the particular use situation. Further, many of the known portable racks do not collapse or disassemble into a substantially flat condition. Thus the cost of handling and transporting the prior racks is higher than is desired, because of the substantial waste space that they entail.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular display rack or stand which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide:

1. An improved modular display rack assembly having a plurality of rack sections stackable one upon another, with the size of the display rack being selectively variable in accordance with the number of rack sections utilized.

2. A rack, as aforesaid, having rack sections which can be easily stacked so as to provide a rack having substantial strength and rigidity.

3. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections are provided with downwardly projecting loops which form recesses into which are received projecting ears formed on the upper end of the rack sections for permitting a pair of rack sections to be selectively and easily stacked one upon another.

4. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections can be easily and efficiently assembled or disassembled by non-skilled personnel.

5. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual components of the rack sections are all held together by means of resilient snap-like connections so as to not require any special tools for assembling or disassembling the rack sections.

6. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein all of the components of a rack section, when the rack section is disassembled, have a substantially flat configuration for permitting the rack section to be easily handled and transported.

7. A rack, as aforesaid, wherein the individual rack sections include a pair of side frames and one or more shelves which are capable of being supported on and interconnecting the side frames, the shelves having downwardly extending legs which have a resilient snap- Iike engagement with the side frames.

8. A rack, as aforesaid, which can be easily and economically fabricated entirely from wire rod, and which possess substantial strength and durability.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the following specification. and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved modular display rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a side, frame utilized in the display rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view illustrating the corner connection structure provided on the cooperating side frames of a pair of stacked rack sections.

- FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the comer structure of the adjacent side frames in a spaced relationship.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the shelf structures utilized in the display rack illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the manner in which the shelf legs releasably lockably engage one of the side frames.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of one of the legs of the shelf and illustrating the manner in which the leg releasably lockably engages the appropriate rods of the side frame.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which the ends of the cross-braces are resiliently connected to an adjacent side frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an auxiliary shelf structure which can be selectively mounted on the rack structure in the manner illustrated in FIG. '1.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The terms upwardly, downwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically thereof.

mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. v

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing an improved display'rack or stand having a plurality of racksections which can be selectively stacked one upon another to vary the overall height andcapacity of the rack. The individual rack sections have a projection adjacent both upper comers thereof section to be easily assembled or disassembled for enabling same to be easily handled and transported. The individual rack sections include a pair .ofidentical v and symmetrical vertical side frames having said projections adjacent the upper'corners thereof and said loops adjacentthe lower corners thereof. The side frames also have pairs of horizontal bars thereon, which, bars are vertically and, laterally spaced for releasably supporting a removable shelf which extends between the side frames. The shelf is provided with pairs of downwardly projecting legs adjacent the opposite ends thereof, which legs have bent portions adjacent the lower ends thereof. The shelf is supported upon the uppermost pair of horizontal bars and the legs extend downwardly between the laterally spaced bars with the lower bent portions beingresiliently snapped under the lowermost bar for releasably but securely supporting the shelf on the side frames. A pair of releasable cross-braces preferably extend diagonally between the' side frames adjacent the rear of the rack 4 The upper rack section l2-comprises'a pair of identical side frames 16 and 17 which are disposed in parallel, vertical, horizontally spaced relationship and support thereon a pair of identical shelves l8 and 19. A

pair of removable cross-braces 21 and 22 diagonally interconnect the side members 16 and 17 adjacent the rear of the rack section 12 for the purpose of squaring uptheframe.

- The lower rack section ,13 is constructed in asimilar manner and includes a pair of identical side frames 23 and 24 disposed in vertical, parallel relationship. A plurality of shelves 26, 27 and 28 are supported on and fixedly interconnect the side'frames'23 and 24. A further pair of removable cross-braces 31 and 32 diagonally interconnect the side frames 23 and24 adjacent the rear side of the rack section 13.

The rack 11 may, if desired, also be provided with an auxiliary shelf 29 thereon, which auxiliaryshelf can be removably mounted adjacent the outer surface of one of the side frames, the shelf 29 being illustrated inFlG. l as mounted on the side frame 16..

The upper and lowerrack sections 12 and 13 possess many identical or similar components and/or structural elements, Y and thus only the upper section 12 will be described in detail. t

The side frame 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and it includes a pair of vertically extending, substantially identical corner posts 33 and 34; The corner post '33 includes a pair of parallel corner members 33A and 33B, whichmembers are identical and are disposed adjacent but slightly horizontally spaced from one another; The

- corner post 34 is similarly constructed and it includes a pair of identical corner members 34A and 34B disposed in adjacent, slightly horizontally spaced,

- parallelrelationshipQThecomer members 33A,33B,

section. The cross-braces have resilient hooks on the ends thereof which are adaptedto releasably snap over i v horizontal bars provided on the opposite side frames.

. If desired, the display rack can also be provided with an auxiliaryshelf structure which is of a substantially U-shaped, upwardly opening configuration and has hooks adjacent one side thereof, which hooks are adapted to engage one of the horizontal bars on one of the side frames for permitting the auxiliary shelf to be externally supported on the rack adjacent one side DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates therein a modular display rack or 34A and 343 are all identical'and thecorner posts 33 and34 are disposed in'opposed, symmetrical relation ship relative to one another. j

he'corne'r posts33 and 34 are'fixedly interconnected by a plurality of substantially horizontally extending support rods, such as by an upper support rod 36, a lower support rod 37, and a plurality, of intermediate support rods 38. The horizontal support rods 36, 37 and 38 are all disposed in parallel, substantially vertically spaced relationship and their opposite ends are disposed between and fixedly connected, as by spot welding, to the pairs of comer members 33A 33Band --34A-34B. The side assembly 16 is provided with a further plurality of substantially horizontally horizontal are disposed in parallel, vertically spaced relationship and extend between the corner posts 33 and 34, being positioned adjacent the external side of the corner members 33A and 34A and being fixedly connected stand 11 constructed according to the present invenf thereto in a conventional manner, as by spot welding. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the locking rods 4144 is vertically spaced downwardly a predetermined distance from an adjacent upper. one of the inter-. mediate support rods 38, and is likewise horizontally laterally offset by a predetermined distance (the thickness of members 33A and 34A) from the adjacent upper intermediate support rod 38, the horizontal 41-44 are secured to the external sides of the corner members 33A and 34A. The purpose for the spacing between the corresponding pairs of support rods and locking rods, such as between the uppermost intermediate support rod 38A and the uppermost locking rod 41, will be explained in detail hereinafter.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, all of the corner members, such as the corner member 33A, are formed with downwardly directed projections 46 thereon, which projections 46 extend downwardly beyond the lowermost support rod 37. The projections 46 in the illustrated embodiment are formed as reversely bent or upwardly opening U-shaped portions, which U-shaped portions 46 have their free ends extending upwardly a sufficient extent so as to be disposed in contacting relationship on opposite sides of the lowermost support rod 37 so that they can be welded thereto. The disposition of the support rod 37 between the hook portions 46 results in the formation of a slotlike recess 54 (FIG. 4) therebetween.

All of the corner members, such as the member 33A, are also formed or bent so as to have a substantially Z- shaped configuration 47 adjacent the upper ends thereof. The Z-shaped configuration 47 is provided by means of an inwardly directed, substantially horizontal center portion 48 and an upwardly directed, substantially vertical upper leg portion 49. The free upper ends of the vertical leg portions 49 contact opposite sides of, and are fixedly connected to, the top support rod 36. The ends of the rod 36 extend outwardly beyond the vertical leg portions 49 and are formed with downwardly directed, somewhat L-shaped hook portions 51 on the free ends thereof. The L-shaped hook portions 51 each include a substantially horizontal portion 52 which extends outwardly beyond the vertical leg portions 49 to a position substantially aligned with the center straight portions of the comer members, whereupon the L-shaped hook portion 51 is then bent downwardly and slightly inwardly so as to define a downwardly directed projection 53, which projection 53 extends downwardly between the central horizontal portions 48 and is fixedly interconnected thereto, as by spot welding.

The upper vertical leg portion 49 of the Z-shaped configuration 47 is substantially parallel to and laterally offset from the straight center portion of its comer member by a distance slightly greater than the width of the hook portion 46. The vertical spacing between the horizontal center portion 48 and the horizontal part 52 is preferably slightly greater than the vertical depth of the slot 54 for enabling the L-shaped hook portion 51 of a lower rack section to extend into the recess 54 of an adjacent upper rack section. The hook 46 of the adjacent upper rack section is accommodated by the Z- shaped configuration 47 of the lower rack section so that the top support rod 36 of the lower rack section is free to abut against the bottom support rod 37 of the upper rack section substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3. When connected as illustrated in FIG. 3, the free end of the hook 46 is positioned substantially adjacent the vertical leg portion 49 so as to prevent horizontal lateral displacement between the rack section in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support rods 36 and 37. Further, since the horizontal part 52 is closely confined between the hook portions 46,.this also prevents horizontal lateral displacement in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support rods 36 and 37. Thus, the side frames can be separated only by moving the upper side frame vertically upwardly.

The side frame 16 is additionally provided with a vertically extending center rod 39 disposed midway between, and substantially parallel to, the corner posts 33 and 34. The center rod 39 extends between the top and bottom support rods 36 and 37 and is positioned between the intermediate support rods 38 and the locking rods 41-44, that is, the center rod 39 is disposed substantially within the same plane as the outer corner members 33A and 34A.

The other side frame 17 is identical to the side frame 16 and thus will not be described in detail.

Thus, the side frames are substantially rectangular in plan view and they have the downwardly extending projections 46 adjacent the lower corners thereof. Moreover, two sets of shelf supports, each consisting of two intermediate support rods, such as rods 38A and 38 B, and associated locking rods, such as 41 and 42, are provided. A shelf can be associated with each set of shelf supports as described hereinbelow.

The side frames 16 and 17 are disposed in opposed, substantially parallel relationship with one another and support thereon and are fixedly interconnected by a plurality of shelves, such as the shelves 18 and 19. The shelves l8 and 19 as illustrated are identical and thus only the shelf 18 will be described in detail.

The shelf 18 is illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 5 and includes inverted, substantially U-shaped front, intermediate and rear support rods 56, 57 and 58, respectively, disposed in substantially parallel relationship. Each of the support rods 56-58 includes a substantially horizontal center portion 59 having legs 61 and 62 fixedly, here integrally, connected to the opposite ends thereof and extending downwardly therefrom. The legs 61 and 62 are adapted to cooperate with the side frames 16 and 17, respectively.

The legs 61 and 62 are identical and, as illustrated in FIG. 7, each includes a downwardly directed straight portion 63 interconnected to the horizontal center portion 59 by means of a curved or elbow portion 64. The lower end of the leg 61 (and 62) is provided with an outwardly bent portion 66, which portion 66 is provided with a champfer or tapered surface 67 adjacent the lower outer free end thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the elbow portion 64 is adapted to bear on and extend around an intermediate support bar, such as rod 383, with the straight portion 63 extending downwardly from the support rod 38B and having a length slightly greater than the vertical spacing between the support rod 383 and its associated locking rod 42 so as to position the outwardly bent portion 66 directly beneath said locking rod.

The rods 56 and 57 of the shelf 18 are releasably attached to the rods 38B and 42 as above described. Rod 58 of the shelf 18 is releasably attached to the rods 38A and 41 in like fashion. Thus, the shelf 18 is supporting in a downwardly and frontwardly inclined fashion.

The shelf 18 is further provided with a plurality of article support members or wires 68 extending transversely between and fixedly connected to the support rods 56, 57 and 58. The article support wires 68 include 1 front and rear straight portions 71 and 72 fixedly and integrally interconnected by an intermediate transverse portion 69. The articlesupport wires 68 are, in the illustrated embodiment, provided with a slight inclination so that the rear portions 72 define a flat, slightly inclined article support grid, the inclination of the grid causing the articles to move forwardly so as to abut against the transversely extending wire portions 69 for positively retaining the articles on the shelf. Due to this inclined configuration, the front and intermediate support rods 56 and 57 are substantially horizontally aligned with one another so as to coact with the same support rod 388 and the same locking rod 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6, whereas the rear support rod 58 is spaced vertically upwardly from the rods 56 and 57 by a distance substantially equal to the spacing between a pair of adjacent support rods 38A and 388 so as to coact with the next adjacent support rod 38A substantially in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 1. The front and intermediate support rods 56 and 57 can be additionally interconnected by intermediate tie members 73 if so desired. v

The side framesl6 and 17, in addition to being interconnected by the shelves 18 and 19, are also interconnected by the pair of diagonal cross-braces 21 and 22 so as to improve the strength and rigidity of the assembled rack section 12. The cross-braces 21 and 22 are identical and each includes a substantially S-shaped hook portion 74 (FIG. 8) provided on the opposite free ends thereof. Each hook portion 74 is adapted to be resiliently snapped around one of the intermediate horizontal support rods 38'adjacent the backside of the rack section to provide a truss-like connection between the side frames 16 and 17. If desired, one of the rack sections 11 and 12 can additionally have a removable auxiliary shelf structure 29 mounted thereon, which shelf structure 29 (FIG. 9) includes an elongated rod 76 which is shaped so as to have an upwardly opening, substantially U-shaped configuration. The rod 76 includes a substantially horizontal elongated, top bar 77 interconnected between sub-. stantially parallel U-shaped side members 78, which side members 78 are identical and include a pair of vertically extending legs 79 and 81 interconnected by an intermediate, substantially horizontal base portion 82. The upper ends of the legs 81 are fixedly, here integrally, connected to the top bar 77, whereas the upper ends of the legs 79 are each provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending hook portion 83. A pair of substantially horizontal support rods- 84 extend between and are fixedly connected to the base portions 82, and a further pair of substantially parallel horizontal cross bars 86 extend transversely between and are fixedly connected to the support bars 84 for defining a substantially planar support shelf. The

. manner in which the shelf 29 is utilized and mounted on the rack will be explained hereinafter.

Considering now the rack section 13, same is substantially identical to the rack section 12 described above except that the rack section 13 is of greater vertical height. Particularly, the rack section 13 includes the side frames 23 and 24 which are constructed in a manner identical to the frames 16 and 17 described above except that they are of increased vertical height so as to accommodate a greater number of shelves 26,

27 and 28 therebetween. The side frames 23 and 24 are further interconnected by the cross-braces 31 and 32,

which cross-braces are identical to the cross-braces 21 and 22 as described above.

With respect to the shelves 26 and 27, they are identical to the shelf 18 described above and thus further description thereof is not believed necessary. On the other hand, the shelf 28 is of a modified construction in that it is designed to provide a substantially planar, horizontal support surface.

The shelf 28 includes front and rear horizontal support rods 91 having downwardly directed legs 93 fixedly, here integrally, connected to the opposite ends thereof, The legs 93 are identical to the legs 61 and 62 as described above and are designed for coacting with the supportand locking rods of the side frames in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7. The horizontal support rods 91 and 92 are fixedly interconnected by a plurality of tie bars 94, which in turn are also fixedly interconnected by a further plurality of transverse cross bars 96 so as to define a planar, substantially horizontal article supporting surface. The support rods 91 and 92 are bothdisposed within the same horizontal plane and thus all of the legs 93 are designed for support on the same horizontal support rod 38' and for locking engagement with the same locking rod 44'.

It will be noted that the side frames 23'and 24 have three sets of shelf supports. Thus, three shelves can be mounted thereon and, in particular, instead of the shelf 28, there can be provided a third shelf corresponding to shelves 26 and 27, if desired.

. ASSEMBLY To assemble the uppermost rack section 12, the side frames 16 and 17 are first disposed in 'verticaLopposed, facing relationship, whereupon the shelves 18 or 19 are then mounted on the side frames 16 and 17 for fixedly and rigidly interconnecting same. Particularly, the legs 61 and 62 of the shelf 18 will be positioned above and outwardly of the intermediate support rods 38A and 38B, the shelf 18 being positioned so that the legs extend substantially vertically downwardly until the bent portions 66 of the legs, particularly the chamfer'ed faces 67 thereof, contact the locking rods 41 and 42. Continued downward pressure exerted on the shelf 18 will cause the legs 61 and 62 to resiliently deflect inwardly so as to permit the bent portions 66 of the legs to pass by the locking rods, whereupon the bent portions 66 will then resiliently snap outwardly so as to be trated in FIG. 7) for resiliently holding the shelf tightly in engagement with the side frames 16 and 17. When so positioned, the weight of the shelf 18 is supported on the intermediate support rods 38A and 388, whereas the bent portions 66 of the legs cooperate with the locking rods 41 and 42 for tightly and fixedly maintaining the shelf interconnected between the side frames. The shelves are disassembled in the reverse manner merely by exerting a sufiicient upward force on the shelf so as to cause the legs to resiliently deflect inwardly to enable the bent portions 66 of the legs to move upwardly past their corresponding locking rods.

After the shelves have been mounted between the side frames 16 and 17, then the rack section 12 can be further strengthened by mounting the cross-braces 21 and 22 thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cross-brace 21 (or 22) is looped around one of the lower intermediate support rods 38 of the one side frame, whereupon the other end 74 of the cross-brace is then resiliently snapped around an upper intermediate support rod 38 of the other side frame, whereupon the two diagonal cross-braces 21 and 22 thus provide a trusslike structure which substantially increases the strength and rigidity of the rack section 12.

The lower rack section 13 is assembled (and disassembled) in the same manner as the rack section 12 and thus further explanation thereof is not believed necessary.

After the rack sections 12 and 13 have been individually assembled, then they can be selectively stacked one upon another to provide a rack 11 of the desired height merely by positioning one of the rack sections, such as section 12, directly over another rack section, such as section 13, so that the adjacent corners thereof are positioned in vertically spaced relationship substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4. The upper rack section is then lowered onto the lower rack section so that the L-shaped hook portions 51 on the lower rack section extend into the recesses 54 defined between the downwardly projecting hook portions46 formed on the upper rack section. The ultimate relative vertical position of the upper and lower rack sections is determined by means of the upper support rod 36' of the lower rack section being disposed in abutting engagement with the lower support rod 37 of the upper rack section substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3.

When the corresponding corners of the upper and lower rack sections are coupled as illustrated in FIG. 3, the L-shaped hook portions 51 are confined within the slots 54 and thus prevent relative horizontal movement between the rack sections in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rods 36 and 37. Lateral horizontal movement between the rack sections in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rods 36 and 37 is also prevented by the free ends of the hook portions 46 being disposed closely adjacent the upper leg portions 49. Thus, the upper rack section is substantially horizontally confined and cannot move laterally (horizontally) relative to the lower rack section. This type of connection thus permits a plurality of rack sections to be vertically stacked one upon another in a stable and secure manner.

If it should be desired to utilize the auxiliary shelf 29, then same is interconnected to the display rack 11 merely by positioning same adjacent the external side of one of the side frames, same being positioned so that the hooks 83 extend around one of the intermediate support rods 38, whereupon the weight of the rack 29 then causes the vertical legs 79 to bear against one of the locking rods, such as the locking rod 43 illustrated in FIG. 1, for maintaining the shelf 29 in a stable and horizontal orientation. The auxiliary shelf 29, due to this manner of mounting same, can obviously be mounted on either side of the display rack 11, and can also be selectively mounted at any desired vertical position relative to the side frames 16 and 17 (or 23 and As is readily apparent from the drawings and from the above described structure, the rack sections 12 and 13 are preferably constructed entirely of metal rods or wire which can be easily shaped and bent so that the individual members and components of the rack can be arranged as described above. Further, all of the individual wire components are preferably interconnected by means of spot welding to permit the rack structure to be easily and economically manufactured. However, any other suitable means of connecting the wire components could also obviously be utilized.

While the illustrated embodiment of the invention utilizes only two rack sections, it will be readily apparent that the structure according to the present invention is designed to permit more than two rack sections to be vertically stacked so as to provide a shelf of the desired height. Altemately, the rack constructed according to the present invention could also utilize only a single rack section, such as either the rack section 12 or 13, assuming that such a racksection provides the necessary storage or shelf space. Further, the height of the individual rack sections can obviously be varied to permit same to accommodate more or less shelves from that as illustrated in the drawings.

It should also be observed that the rack 11, when composed of a plurality of stacked rack sections, can comprise a plurality of identical rack sections, such as by utilizing all rack sections 12 or all rack sections 13.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

, l. A portable rack construction, comprising:

a first rack section having first and second substantially vertical and parallel side frames of a generally parallelogram configuration, and shelf means mounted on and extending between said first and second side frames;

a first coupling member fixedly secured to each of said first and second side frames adjacent the upper edge thereof and a second coupling member fixedly secured to each of said side frames adjacent the lower edge thereof;

one of said coupling members comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically extending wire members, said wire members being disposed in substantially vertical planes and being spaced from one another by at least a predetermined distance so as to define a slot-like recess therebetween; and

the other of said coupling members comprising a member of said predetermined width and adapted for disposition within said slot-like recess of another similarly constructed rack.

2. A portable rack construction according to claim 1,

including:

a second rack section adapted to be removably and vertically stacked on top of said first rack section, said second rack section including third and fourth substantially vertical and parallel side frames of a generally parallelogram configuration and shelf means mounted on and extending between said third and fourth side frames;

whereinr;

5. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein each of the comer posts comprises a pair of parallel wire rod members spaced a slight distance apart.

6. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein said pairs of looped wire members are disposed; adjacent the lower ends of said corner members, and said offset portions are disposed adjacent the upper ends of said corner members.

7. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein said side frames each include a pair of vertically said third and fourth side frames having coupling members corresponding to the coupling members of said first and second side frames;

I said coupling members coacting between said first and second rack sections for permitting same to be 5 vertically stacked and for preventing relative horizontal displacement therebetween when in the stacked condition.

3. A rack construction according to claim 1,

each of said side frames includes a vertically extending corner post disposed along the opposite vertical edges thereof, each of said comer posts including a pair of substantially parallel andvertically'extending corner members, and a plurality of vertically spaced and substantially parallel horizontal rods extending between and interconnecting the corner posts of each side frame; Y Y the free ends of said vertical corner members adjacent one edge of the rack section having looped wire members integrally connected thereto with said looped wire members extending vertically outwardly beyond the adjacent endmost horizontal rod, said looped wire members forming said one coupling member; and the horizontal rod on the opposite edge of the rack section having the free ends thereof vertically bent so as to form ear-like projections forming the other coupling member and adapted to extend into the recess between a pair of looped members on another similarly constructed rack section.

4. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said side frames includes first and second vertically extending corner posts and a plurality of vertically spaced,-horizontally extending support rods extending between and fixedly secured to said first and second corner posts; H

said first and second corner posts each including a substantially straight and vertically extending shelf means including downwardly extending leg means adapted to resiliently and releasablyengage said pair of horizontal support rods for permitting said shelf means to be securely but removably connected between said side frames.

8. A rack construction according to claim 7, wherein said leg means includes a downwardly extending resilient leg member having a substantially straight portion and including a bent portion adjacent the lower end of said leg whereby the straight portion of said leg is adapted to be positioned adjacent said pair of horizontal support rods with said bent portion being resiliently maintained partiallybelow the lowermost one of-said pair of rods. j

9. A rack construction according to claim 8, wherein the straight portion of said leg member is adapted to vertically extend between said pair of horizontal support rods, and said pair of rods being horizontally laterally ofi'set so as to be horizontally disposed adjacent opposite sides of said leg member.

10. A rack construction comprising:

a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of said side frames including a plurality of vertically spaced, substantially horizonta a removable main shelf supported by and extending between said side frames,said. main shelf having 40 downwardly extending legs adjacent the opposite spaced, substantially horizontal support rods, and said rod-like members; i

center portion having'a pair of looped wire members on one end thereof and forming said one coupling member, the looped wire members being disposedin opposing spacedrelationship and extending vertically outwardly beyond the adjacent endmost horizontal rod; and the other end of each of said corner posts being formed as an offset shoulder portion and including a vertically extending portion adjacent the free end of the corner post with said vertically extending portion being horizontally offset from said center portion and being interconnected thereto by means of an intermediate connecting portion so that the other end of the corner post has a substantially z-shaped configuration, the offset portions at the other ends of the corner posts being directed inwardly toward one'another in opposed relationship; and the other endmost horizontal rod of each of said side frames extending between and being fixedly connected to the vertically extending portions of said comer posts, the opposite ends of said other endmost horizontal rod extending outwardly beyond said vertically extending portions and being bent to form ear-like projections forming the other coupling member and adapted to be received between the looped wire members of a further rack section.

' ends thereof for cooperation with a pair of the horizontal rod-like members of each of said side frames, said legs cooperating with said pair of rodlike members and resiliently engaging at least one of said rod-like members for releasably but securely connecting said main shelf to said side frames;

an auxiliary shelf suspended from one of the side frames on the opposite side thereof from said main shelf, said auxiliary shelf having upright legs abutting against rod-like members on said one side frame, said upright legs having hook portions on the upper ends thereof, said hook portions being releasably hooked over one of said rod-like members for support thereon.

1 1. A rack structure, comprising: v

a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of said side frames including a pair of vertically spaced, substantially horizontal rod-like members; 1

a removable shelf supported by and extending between said pair of side frames, said shelf having a substantially horizontal support member extending between said side frames and having downwardly extending legs adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said horizontalsupport member extending between and being disposed above and in bearing engagement with the uppermost ones of said pairs of rod-like members of said end frames, said legs being positioned adjacent the rod-like members and extending vertically therebetween, said legs being resilient and each having an offset portion formed adjacent the lower end thereof, said offset portions being resiliently urged into engagement with the lowermost rod-like members adjacent the lower sides thereof for securely locking said shelf to said side frames.

12. A rack structure according to claim 11, wherein said pair of rod-like members are horizontally laterally offset by a small distance substantially equal to the width of the leg, and the leg being horizontally disposed between the laterally offset rod-like members whereby the uppermost rod-like member contacts said leg adjacent one side of the upper end thereof, with the lowermost rod-like member contacting the lower end of said leg adjacent the other side thereof.

13. A rack construction, comprising:

a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side versely between said side frames, each of said support rods having downwardly extending legs thereon adjacent the opposite ends thereof for cooperation with the horizontal rod-like members of each of said side frames, each of said legs cooperating with a pair of rod-like members and resiliently engaging at least one of said rod-like members for releasably but securely connecting said shelf to said side frames;

the rearward one of said support rods being vertically offset upwardly from the other support rods; and

a series of article support members secured to and extending between said support rods, said article support members each including aligned generally vertical portions adjacent the front end of the shelf.

14. A rack construction according to claim 13, in which said side frames each have two pairs of said rodlike members, the rearward support rod of said shelf cooperating with the upper pair of said rod-like members and the other two support rods of said shelf cooperating with the lower pair of said rod-like members, whereby the shelf is supported in an inclined position. 

1. A portable rack construction, comprising: a first rack section having first and second substantially vertical and parallel side frames of a generally parallelogram configuration, and shelf means mounted on and extending between said first and second side frames; a first coupling member fixedly secured to each of said first and second side frames adjacent the upper edge thereof and a second coupling member fixedly secured to each of said side frames adjacent the lower edge thereof; one of said coupling members comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically extending wire members, said wire members being disposed in substantially vertical planes and being spaced from one another by at least a predetermined distance so as to define a slot-like recess therebetween; and the other of said coupling members comprising a member of said predetermined width and adapted for disposition within said slot-like recess of another similarly constructed rack.
 2. A portable rack construction according to claim 1, including: a second rack section adapted to be removably and vertically stacked on top of said first rack section, said second rack section including third and fourth substantially vertical and parallel side frames of a generally parallelogram configuration and shelf means mounted on and extending between said third and fourth side frames; said third and fourth side frames having coupling members corresponding to the coupling members of said first and second side frames; said coupling members coacting between said first and second rack sections for permitting same to be vertically stacked and for preventing relative horizontal displacement therebetween when in the stacked condition.
 3. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein: each of said side frames includes a vertically extending corner post disposed along the opposite vertical edges thereof, each of said corner posts including a pair of substantially parallel and vertically extending corner members, and a plurality of vertically spaced and substantially parallel horizontal rods extending between and iNterconnecting the corner posts of each side frame; the free ends of said vertical corner members adjacent one edge of the rack section having looped wire members integrally connected thereto with said looped wire members extending vertically outwardly beyond the adjacent endmost horizontal rod, said looped wire members forming said one coupling member; and the horizontal rod on the opposite edge of the rack section having the free ends thereof vertically bent so as to form ear-like projections forming the other coupling member and adapted to extend into the recess between a pair of looped members on another similarly constructed rack section.
 4. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said side frames includes first and second vertically extending corner posts and a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending support rods extending between and fixedly secured to said first and second corner posts; said first and second corner posts each including a substantially straight and vertically extending center portion having a pair of looped wire members on one end thereof and forming said one coupling member, the looped wire members being disposed in opposing spaced relationship and extending vertically outwardly beyond the adjacent endmost horizontal rod; and the other end of each of said corner posts being formed as an offset shoulder portion and including a vertically extending portion adjacent the free end of the corner post with said vertically extending portion being horizontally offset from said center portion and being interconnected thereto by means of an intermediate connecting portion so that the other end of the corner post has a substantially z-shaped configuration, the offset portions at the other ends of the corner posts being directed inwardly toward one another in opposed relationship; and the other endmost horizontal rod of each of said side frames extending between and being fixedly connected to the vertically extending portions of said corner posts, the opposite ends of said other endmost horizontal rod extending outwardly beyond said vertically extending portions and being bent to form ear-like projections forming the other coupling member and adapted to be received between the looped wire members of a further rack section.
 5. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein each of the corner posts comprises a pair of parallel wire rod members spaced a slight distance apart.
 6. A rack construction according to claim 4, wherein said pairs of looped wire members are disposed adjacent the lower ends of said corner members, and said offset portions are disposed adjacent the upper ends of said corner members.
 7. A rack construction according to claim 1, wherein said side frames each include a pair of vertically spaced, substantially horizontal support rods, and said shelf means including downwardly extending leg means adapted to resiliently and releasably engage said pair of horizontal support rods for permitting said shelf means to be securely but removably connected between said side frames.
 8. A rack construction according to claim 7, wherein said leg means includes a downwardly extending resilient leg member having a substantially straight portion and including a bent portion adjacent the lower end of said leg whereby the straight portion of said leg is adapted to be positioned adjacent said pair of horizontal support rods with said bent portion being resiliently maintained partially below the lowermost one of said pair of rods.
 9. A rack construction according to claim 8, wherein the straight portion of said leg member is adapted to vertically extend between said pair of horizontal support rods, and said pair of rods being horizontally laterally offset so as to be horizontally disposed adjacent opposite sides of said leg member.
 10. A rack construction comprising: a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of said side frames including a plurality of vertically spaced, subsTantially horizontal rod-like members; a removable main shelf supported by and extending between said side frames, said main shelf having downwardly extending legs adjacent the opposite ends thereof for cooperation with a pair of the horizontal rod-like members of each of said side frames, said legs cooperating with said pair of rod-like members and resiliently engaging at least one of said rod-like members for releasably but securely connecting said main shelf to said side frames; an auxiliary shelf suspended from one of the side frames on the opposite side thereof from said main shelf, said auxiliary shelf having upright legs abutting against rod-like members on said one side frame, said upright legs having hook portions on the upper ends thereof, said hook portions being releasably hooked over one of said rod-like members for support thereon.
 11. A rack structure, comprising: a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of said side frames including a pair of vertically spaced, substantially horizontal rod-like members; a removable shelf supported by and extending between said pair of side frames, said shelf having a substantially horizontal support member extending between said side frames and having downwardly extending legs adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said horizontal support member extending between and being disposed above and in bearing engagement with the uppermost ones of said pairs of rod-like members of said end frames, said legs being positioned adjacent the rod-like members and extending vertically therebetween, said legs being resilient and each having an offset portion formed adjacent the lower end thereof, said offset portions being resiliently urged into engagement with the lowermost rod-like members adjacent the lower sides thereof for securely locking said shelf to said side frames.
 12. A rack structure according to claim 11, wherein said pair of rod-like members are horizontally laterally offset by a small distance substantially equal to the width of the leg, and the leg being horizontally disposed between the laterally offset rod-like members whereby the uppermost rod-like member contacts said leg adjacent one side of the upper end thereof, with the lowermost rod-like member contacting the lower end of said leg adjacent the other side thereof.
 13. A rack construction, comprising: a pair of substantially vertical and parallel side frames, each of said side frames including a plurality of vertically spaced, substantially horizontal rod-like members; a removable shelf supported by and extending between said pair of side frames, said shelf comprising at least three support rods extending transversely between said side frames, each of said support rods having downwardly extending legs thereon adjacent the opposite ends thereof for cooperation with the horizontal rod-like members of each of said side frames, each of said legs cooperating with a pair of rod-like members and resiliently engaging at least one of said rod-like members for releasably but securely connecting said shelf to said side frames; the rearward one of said support rods being vertically offset upwardly from the other support rods; and a series of article support members secured to and extending between said support rods, said article support members each including aligned generally vertical portions adjacent the front end of the shelf.
 14. A rack construction according to claim 13, in which said side frames each have two pairs of said rod-like members, the rearward support rod of said shelf cooperating with the upper pair of said rod-like members and the other two support rods of said shelf cooperating with the lower pair of said rod-like members, whereby the shelf is supported in an inclined position. 